Wood Duck Ducklings

Because of the drizzling overcast skies I didn’t arrive at the wetlands until midmorning. Not knowing what to expect I was elated to see tiny wakes cutting across the water’s surface with a little tuft of down at the apex of each V. Ducklings were crisscrossing the surface busily picking insect from the vegetation. The ducklings were a mix of Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. The duckling pictured here is a Wood Duck.

Ever vigilant, my arrival was quickly noticed by the alert parents who called repeatedly in their attempt to lead their ambitious little charges to safety. The ducklings were slow to respond but soon the little flock disappeared into the surrounding cover. Once the ducklings were safely behind cover the adults flushed followed by the hen demonstrating the “injured duck” behavior in her attempt to lead me away from her young.

Concealing myself behind the willows lining the water’s edge I waited in hopes of the further photo opportunities. I didn’t have long to wait as within thirty minutes, one by one, the little wood duck began to reappear. With a few rays of sun beginning to break through the clouds lighting conditions were improving when I captured this shot as a duckling swam past.